Gene editing: Ethical issues 'should be discussed'

Ethical questions around a new gene editing technology need to be considered now - even though its use may be some way off, experts say.
The Nuffield Council for Bioethics was looking into CRISPR - a biological system for altering DNA.
Scientists believe CRISPR could have radical effects on areas as diverse as disease prevention and food security.
The Nuffield Council said discussing ethical issues now would aid public understanding of the new technology.
John Dupre, professor of philosophy of science at the University of Exeter, who is chair of the Nuffield Council Bioethics working party... read more

Related news

Image copyright SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY Scientists say they have fine tuned a gene editing method to make it safer and more accurate - vital if it is to be used in humans to cure inherited diseases or inborn errors.
The advance, outlined in Science...

Image copyright SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY Scientists say they have fine tuned a gene editing method to make it safer and more accurate - vital if it is to be used in humans to cure inherited diseases or inborn errors.
The advance, outlined in Science...

A tool to edit human genes is ‘nowhere near ready’ to be used in pregnancy – but international experts argue they should be allowed to alter early embryos for research purposes.
Organizers of a global summit concluded that altering early embryos could...

Two infertile women will give birth in Ukraine after using a revolutionary technique that combines the genes of three parents, a report reveals.
The controversial technique was designed to prevent families passing on genetic mutations, not to aid...

Image copyright Great Ormond Street Hospital Does the smiling face of Layla Richards mark a new era in genetic medicine that could change all our lives?
Her story is simply remarkable and a world first.
On the day before her first birthday, Layla's...

Injections that alter the code of life could provide cures for devastating inherited diseases, research suggests.
Given to a newborn baby, a single jab could prevent them from ever suffering conditions such as cystic fibrosis, haemophilia and Duchenne...